Britney Spears Biopic Film Set at Universal With ‘Wicked’ Director Jon M. Chu
Angelique JacksonAug 1, 2024 10:21am PT
Universal Pictures has landed the rights to
Britney Spears‘ bestselling memoir “
The Woman in Me,” with “Wicked” director Jon M. Chu and producer Marc Platt attached to develop the feature.
Spears shared news of the “secret project” on social media, writing that Platt has “always made my favorite movies” and telling her fans to “stay tuned” for more news.
Universal won the rights to the Grammy winner’s memoir (which released last October and has
sold over 2.5 million copies in the United States alone) in a highly competitive auction. In the book, Spears chronicled her journey to pop superstardom from her “Mickey Mouse Club” days through her highly publicized and scrutinized conservatorship case, with remarkable candor and humor. The book was brutally honest and went in-depth regarding her relationships with ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake and her family, chronicling the predatory nature of those around her in an attempt to control her life. The audiobook — read by Academy Award-nominated actor Michelle Williams, with an introduction by Spears — is the fastest-selling in Simon & Schuster’s history.
At the time, Spears was quoted as saying: “I poured my heart and soul into my memoir, and I am grateful to my fans and readers around the world for their unwavering support.”
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Universal has a record of success with its musical biopics, including 2015’s “Straight Outta Compton,” which focused on N.W.A. and grossed more than $200 million, and 2002’s “8 Mile,” which grossed $250 million globally. The studio is currently developing the definitive biopic of Snoop Dogg, as well as a film inspired by Prince’s music, produced by Ryan Coogler’s Proximity Media. The studio also recently wrapped production on project from Pharrell Williams and Michel Gondry, inspired by the Grammy winners’ childhood neighborhood.
Meanwhile, the first chapter of Chu and Pratt’s adaptation of the hit Broadway musical “Wicked,” starring Emmy, Grammy and Tony-winner Cynthia Erivo and Grammy winner Ariana Grande, will release in theaters on Nov. 22. “Wicked Part Two” is dated for Nov. 26, 2025.
Spears has been relatively out of the spotlight since she was released from her conservatorship in November 2021. Aside from regularly posting videos of her dancing on Instagram, she stated earlier this year that she “never will” return to the music industry, and that she’s instead been ghostwriting songs for other artists.
She most recently made headlines after Halsey released her new single “Lucky,” which arrived hand-in-hand with a music video last week. In the lead-up to the song’s release, Halsey claimed that Spears gave her permission to interpolate her 2000 single of the same name for the song. But following the video release, Spears posted and then swiftly deleted a message on X (formerly Twitter) claiming that she felt “harassed, violated and bullied” by her portrayal as a “superficial pop star.”
Shortly after, she claimed that the post was “fake news” and that she had love for Halsey, who quote-tweeted the message and shared her support for the singer. “I love Britney!!!!” wrote Halsey. “I always have and always will you were the first person who ever made me realize what it means to feel inspired. And you continue to inspire me everyday.”
Spears is represented by Hudson Management and CAA. Chu is represented by Artists First, UTA, Allison Binder, Esq of GGSSC and ID.
The Ankler was first to report news of the developing project.
variety.com
